WASHINGTON — Howard University is bracing for Vice President Kamala Harris' election night watch party. The event will be held at the yard, and access will be restricted. This is the first time a presidential election watch party will be held on a college campus. Harris graduated from Howard University with a bachelor's degree in 1986.
WUSA 9 spoke with people near campus, including alumni, who are excited about Vice President Harris spending election night at her alma mater.
"I’m excited to be a bison," said Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness. "I’m excited to live right here. It’s so exciting as an American of African descent to see from what we have come through the Atlantic slave trade to the election of an African American."
"I’m not a Howard alumni, unfortunately, but it’s great to see [Harris] having this here and to have something big happening here," said resident, Darrell Prince.
Classes at Howard will be remote on Mon, Nov. 4. The campus will be closed with no classes on Election Day, Tues. Nov. 5.
"It honestly feels like we’re walking in the footsteps of legacy," said freshman Kelis Reid.
"It kind of serves as a reminder that Howard does produce greatness," added freshman Reniah Curry. "So here we are to create our greatness."
Starting on Sunday from 6 a.m. through Sunday, Nov. 10 at 6 a.m. the following streets will be Emergency No Parking zones.
Emergency No Parking:
- Gresham Place from 5th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
- Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
- Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
- Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
- Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
- Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
- College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW
- 300 block of College Street, NW
- Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
- W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
- W Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
- V Street from Florida Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
- 9th Street from Euclid Street to U Street, NW
- 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW
- Georgia Avenue from Harvard Street to Florida Avenue, NW
- 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW
- 5th Street from V Street to W Street, NW
- 4th Street from V Street to McMillan Drive, NW
Beginning Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. the following streets will be closed to all traffic.
Road Closures:
- Gresham Place from 5th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
- Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
- Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
- Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
- Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
- Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
- College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW
- 300 block of College Street, NW
- Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
- W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
- W Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
- V Street from Florida Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
- 9th Street from Euclid Avenue to U Street, NW
- 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW
- Georgia Avenue from Harvard Street to V Street, NW
- 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW
- 5th Street from V Street to W Street, NW
- 5th Street from Gresham Place, NW to McMillan Drive, NW
- 4th Street from V Street to McMillan Drive, NW
Howard University president, Dr. Ben Vinson III, wrote a letter to the Howard community Sunday, November 3rd. Read the full letter below:
Dear Howard University Community,
We are on the eve of a crucial moment in our nation's history, a moment rooted in Howard’s history because of our alumna, presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Her journey through Howard is leading to a full circle moment with her return to campus on election night.
We are honored that the University has been selected by the Harris-Walz campaign for Tuesday’s historic event. As we continue preparations, I want to thank our faculty, staff, and students for your resilience, patience, and understanding during this unprecedented time.
However, we do recognize the potential inconvenience to our campus community and interruption to regularly scheduled classes and campus activities. The administrative leadership team is aware that amidst the excitement of this moment, deep concerns exist about safety stemming from the nature of this highly charged election season, and access to campus and auxiliary services.
After careful consideration and assurances of the attention to security and campus logistics, we decided that honoring the Harris-Walz campaign’s request was the correct choice in this historic moment. I assure you that the safety and security of our community is of the utmost importance to our administration and Department of Public Safety (DPS), as well as the Harris-Walz campaign.
DPS is working in collaboration with local and national law enforcement agencies on safety measures for our students, faculty, and staff, and an unprecedented number of visitors to our community. These measures require that we amend our schedules and limit access to the Yard and corresponding buildings. We also ask that you add your vigilance to ours. If you see something, say something.
The University Counseling Service and Office of the Dean of the Chapel are available to provide support for those experiencing anxiety or needing spiritual uplift during this time. The Office of the Provost, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Division of Student Affairs, Auxiliary Services and other administrative offices are working to ensure that you have access to all services, support, and information needed throughout the event’s duration. Above all, you are our top priority.
As this election season comes to a close, one commonality rings true for us all regardless of our political affiliation: we are Bison, connected by the legacy and long lineage of leaders who stand as a testament to Howard’s commitment to our core values of excellence, leadership, truth, and service. I look forwarding to joining you as we welcome a daughter of Howard back home to The Mecca and invite the world to see once more what it truly means to be a Bison!
Committed to Truth and Service,
Ben Vinson III, Ph.D.
President